Record sorting machines



Oct. 1, 1963 1.. J. ANGUS RECORD SORTING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27. 1960 Inventor- Leohara JAn gas By his Attorney RECORD SORTING MACHINES Fiied May 27. 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 105 JOHN DOE Sig/1 4; ES 1 DRESS STORES FINE 0 ROE Q42 9 @7 3 2 3 3 05; Z -Z': 4 go og 00 0 0 JZ- 6 0 82 5 23 8 3 3 jfl 12 3 4 Oct. 1, 1963 J. ANGUS 3,105,814

RECORD SORTING MACHINES Filed May 27, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet ,3

Oct. 1, 1963 L. J. ANGUS 3,105,814

RECORD SORTING MACHINES Filed May 27, 1960 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 1, 1963 J,- ANGUS 3,105,814

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Oct. 1, 1963 Filed May 2'7. 1960 L. J. ANGUS RECORD SORTING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 United States Patent 3,195,814 RECORD SORTING MACHHNEE;

Leonard J. Angus, Manhasset, N.Y., assignor to A. Kimball Company, Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 27, 1960, Ser. No. 32,270 15 Ciaims. (Cl. 209-110) This invention relates generally to machines for sorting records. More particularly the invention is directed to the sorting of records having locating holes related to a field of coded data indications.

The machine described herein as the preferred embodiment is particularly adapted to handle records in the form of merchandise tags having locating holes related to data indicative fields similar to that disclosed in United States Reissue Patent No. 24,547, granted October 7, 1958, to K. J. Braun. However, most features of the invention are applicable to other types of records including those without locating holes. The records illustrated herein normally have two or more sections each of which may be torn oif upon completion of certain transactions. When the record is tom, the edges thereof are generally roughened or mutilated. For this reason the data indicative field of the record is located accurately with respect to two or more locating holes punched within the body of the tag without accurate reference to the edges thereof.

There are numerous record sorting machines which may be operated at relatively high speeds but the records processed must be registered with sensing devices using the edges of the records as reference points. With the present type of records, however, the data indicative fields must be registered with sensing means by reference to the cating holes rather than by reference to the edges of the record. Recognizing the fact that existing types of sorting devices are not capable of sorting this type of record at high speeds, the machine of the present invention was developed to process such records at high speed using the locating holes at reference points for sensing purposes.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the invention to provide a record processing machine with a record transport having a flat supporting surface and a lip projecting therefrom adapted to engage the edge of a record exposed at an open end of a magazine, for separating the record from a stack in the magazine and feeding it edgewise therefrom. Using the edge of the record for initial contact avoids abuse of the accurately positioned locating holes. As soon as the record has been fed from the magazine, locating pins which normally underlie the supporting surface are projected above the surface and into the locating holes of the record for registering the record accurately on the transport. The locating pins remain in the record while passing through a sensing station so that the data indicative field is accurately registered during sensing.

According to another feature of the invention, a plurality of identical transport units are mounted on a rotating frame to move in a closed circular path for feeding and registering a succession of tags at high speed.

A further feature of the invention provides for a plurality of settable selecting units each arranged to move with an associated transport unit. The setting of the selecting units is controlled by the sensing means so that the data recorded on each tag is represented by the setting of an associated selecting unit traveling therewith.

According to another feature of the invention, a plurality of sorting pockets in arranged along the path of movement of the tags. Each pocket has an individual shutter which normally closes the pocket against entrance of records. The shutters are provided with individual devices lying in the path of movement of the selecting units with each device being responsive to a different ice setting of the units. The arrangement is such that as each record is fed to successive pockets each selecting unit must first pass by said device at each pocket. If the device is responsive to the particular setting of the unit, the shutter is moved into the path of the record to direct the record into the pocket. However, if the device does not respond to that particular setting, the selecting unit and its associated record passes freely by that pocket.

The above and other features of the invention together with novel details of construction and combinations of parts will now be described and thereafter particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is aplan view of a sorting machine embodying the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view with parts broken away to illustrate the construction of one of the sorting pockets;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of a pocket shutter operating device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the feed magazine;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the magazine;

FIG. 6 is a section on line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of three forms of the record tags which may be sorted in the machine;

FIGQ8 is a section on line VIII-VIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an end elevation of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a section on line X-X of FIG. 14;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an element shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan-view in enlarged scale of a of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a view in perspective of the parts shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the tag transport unit;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tag transport taken substantially along line XV-XV of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a plan view in enlarged scale of the tag transport shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a section on line XVIIXVII of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a portion of the machine along its periphery but with the parts arranged in a straight line for illustration purposes;

FIG. 19 is a section on line XIX-XIX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a plan view with parts broken away of the sensing mechanism shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the adjustable sensing unit;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of one of the photocell holders of the sensing unit;

FIG. 23 is a section on line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a view in enlarged scale of a portion of FIG. 23 showing a shutter selecting device;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of two of the elements shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is 'an exploded perspective view of a portion of the pocket selecting mechanism;

FIG. 27 is an end elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 24; and,

FIG. 28 is a diagram of the electrical circuits of the machine.

The invention will now be described by way of example in its application to the sorting of records such as merchandise tags of the type illustrated in FIG. 7. There are illustrated three types of tags T, T1 and T2, each differing only in length and capacity for data that may he recorded thereon. Referring to tag T it may be seen that the tag is provided with a plurality of punched information index point positions arranged in vertical columns each having four possible punching positions. A row or field 2 of twelve vertical columns is arranged adjacent the portion upper end of the tag with another field 4 of twelve additional columns directly below the row 2. Three additional fields 6,- 8 and 10 each having twelve possible columns are provided adjacent the lower end of the tag. The columns of each field are aligned so that twenty possible index positions representing five columns are always in line. It is apparent that the tags T1 and T2 have a smaller capacity than the tag T. Each tag is also provided with three locating holes 12 which are always similarly positioned with respect to each other and to the various fields of columns reguardless of the size of tag as is evident by a comparison of tags T, T1 and T2.

The code used for punching data in the tag is a wellknown four element modified binary code having the bit or positional values of -1, 2, 4 and 7. The combinations used to record the digits from to 9 are as follows: 1 is a single punch in the top or first index position; 2 is asingle punch in the second index position; 3 is a combination of 2 and 1; 4 is a single punch in the third index position; 5 is a combination of 4 and 1; 6 is a combination of 4 and 2; 7 is a single punch in the fourth index position; 8 is a combination of 7 and 1; 9 is a combination of 7 and 2; and 0 is arbitrarily given the combination of 7 and 4. While the present disclosure shows the combination of the binary bits, 1, 2, 4 and 7 being used, it will be readily understood by those familiar with the art that different combinations of index positions may be used or a five bit code could be used in which all figures are represented by at least two punchings.

The object of the machine to be described is to sense and sort a succession of tags acording to the digits recorded in any selected column of each tag. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 23 it may be seen that the machine includes a base plate to which is fixed a perpendicular stepped shaft 21. The uppermost step of the shaft has fixed thereto a spoke-like frame 22 which supports on its various spokes a plurality of receiving pockets 24, a feeding magazine 26 and a sensing unit 28.

Each receiving pocket 24 is U-shaped, as best seen in FIG. 2, and has a rear wall 30, a front wall 31, an end wall 32 and a partial bottom 33. The pockets are connected together by plates 34 (FIGS. 1, 12 and 13) each having at one end an upturned flange 35 riveted to the rear wall 30 of one pocket and an arm 36 which extends around the open side of the pocket. As best seen in FIGS. 13 and 18, the opposite end of each plate 34 is provided with a stud 38 which extends upwardly through an ear 40 projecting from the front wall 31 of a succeeding pocket. The upper end of the stud is provided with a nut for adjusting the heightwise position of the plate 34, there being a spring compressed between the ear 40 and the plate 34 to facilitate fine adjustment and to allow the plate to deflect slightly. The first pocket .24 is connected to the feed magazine 26 by a plate 42 which at one end has an upturned flange riveted to the magazine 26 and at the opposite end is provided with an upstanding stud connected to the first pocket in a manner similar to the connection of the plates 34 between each pocket.

Referring to FIG. 2, it may be seen that the bottom of each pocket is partially closed by the floor 33 and by a shutter 44 which is fixed to a pivot rod 45 journaled at one end in the arm 36 and at the other end in depending arms of a bracket 46- secured to the underside of the frame 22 (see also FIG. 23). The rod also has fixed thereto a collar 48 having an outstanding lug connected to a spring 50 anchored to the bracket 46. Tension on the spring causes the rod 45 and shutter 44 to he urged in a counterclockwise direction so that the shutter is normally held against the underside of the walls '31 and 5'2 to close the bottom of the pocket. The shutter 44 is provided with fingers 51 which cooperate with tag transport means, to be described, to direct a tag into the bottom of the pocket when the shutter is depressed.

The feed magazine 26 (FIGS. 4-6) is open at the top and bottom and at its forward side is provided with a the spindles is a tag weight 60 provided with a handle 61 I adapted to extend through the slot 54 of the magazine.

In use, the holder 56 is removed from the magazine together with the weight 60 and then inverted. A stack S of tags is placed on the spindles with the spindles passing through the locating holes 12 of each tag. The holder is then invented and placed in the hopper in the position illustrated until the holder rests against shoulders 57 (FIG. 5 in the end walls of the magazine. The weight 60 sliding freely on the spindles 58 acts on the stack of tags to press the entire stack toward the open bottom of the magazine. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 18, the bottom of the magazine is spaced above a surface 62 of a tag transport disk 86 to be described. So that only one tag at a time is removed from the bottom of the hopper the rear wall has mounted thereon an adjustable throat plate 64. The throat plate is secured to the wall by a screw and slot connection 63 so that the plate may be adjusted in heightwise directions. For this purpose the upper end of the plate is provided with an ear 65 through which passes the body of an adjusting screw 66, the lower end of the screw being threaded into a lug 68 extending from the rear wall of the magazine. A spring is compressed between the car 65 and lug 68 so that rotation of the screw 66 permits fine adjustment of the spacing between the lower end of the hopper and the tag transporting surface 62 so that only one tag can pass therethrough. V

For transporting the tags in a circular path from the feed magazine, through the sensing station 2.8 and to any one of the selected pockets 24, the machine is provided with a circular frame (FIGS. 14 and 23) mounted for rotation on ball bearings 81 on the shaft 21. The frame 80 is provided with a groove '82 which accommodates a belt 84 connected to a motor, not shown, to rotate the frame when the machine is in operation. The frame 80 is provided at its periphery with a generally flat circular portion forming a tag transport disk 86 which is provided with concentric grooves 87 adapted to receive the fingers '51 of the pocket shutters 44 when the shutters are depressed. The disk is also provided with eight transport.

units '88 each adapted to pick a single tag from the feed magazine 26 and to position the tag accurately as it passes through the sensing station and thereafter to transport the tag to any pocket 24 selected according to the digit sensed. Each unit includes a plate 90 (FIGS. 15- 17) of the configuration shown particularly in FIG. 15 fastened to the disk by means of screws 92. The disk is suitably undercut so that the sunface of the plate is flush with the surf-ace 62 of the disk to present a substantially unbroken surface. The plate is provided with a multiplicity of holes 94 corresponding to each possible data indicative position which may be punched in the tag T with locating holes 96 which correspond to the locating holes 12 of the tag and with a timing hole 97 which also extends through the disk. Directly under the holes 94 of each unit, the disk 86 is provided with openings 98 (FIGS. 14 and 19) for a purpose which will presently appear. For picking tags one at a time from the magazine 26, each unit is provided with a picker knife 100 (FIGS. 15-17) which projects through slots 101 of the plate 90. The picker knife is adjustable heightwise to form a lip which engages only the bottommost tag in the feed magazine. Thus, it may be seen that when the disk 86 is rotated under the feed magazine, the lip formed by the picker knife 100 at each feeding unit 88 engages and removes a single tag from the bottom of the magazine. For accurately positioning each tag by its locating holes 12, each feed unit is provided with locating 'pins"1| 8 which are normally retracted below the surface of the plate 90 as seen in FIG. 17. Each locating pin is mounted for heightwise movement in a bracket 110 secured to the underside of the disk 86 and is held down in the position illustrated by a spring 112. The lower ends of the locating pins 108 extend below the bracket 110 in a position to be engaged by an inclined surface 114 (FIGS. 10, 11 18 and 19) of a pin actuating frame 116 fixed to the base plate 20. The frame 116 is so positioned that as soon as the tag is removed from the magazine by the picker knife 10!) the locating pins are raised by the inclined surface 1-14 through the locating holes 9 6 of the plate 91), the locating holes 12 of the tag and through circular clearance slots 118 (FIG. 12) in the connecting plate 42. The upper ends of the locating pins are tapered to accommodate substantial misalignment of the tag upon entering the locating holes of the tag. From the foregoing it may be seen that as the disk 86 rotates, each tag feeding unit '88 picks a single tag from the feed magazine and through the pins 108 accurately positions the tag relative to the data indicative perforations 94 f the plate 90. Continued movement of the disk transports the accurately positioned tag through the sensing station 28 where the selected tag column is read in a manner presently to be described. After passing through the sensing station the lower ends of the locating pins 1118 drop off the end of the frame 116 whereupon the springs 112 retract the pins. To insure complete depression of the pins before reaching the first pocket, the slots 118 terminate in inclined surfaces 126 which act on the upper ends of the pins to cam the pins downwardly.

The sensing station comprises sensing means including photocells 1'33 (FIGS. l922), timing means including another photocell 139 for activating the sensing photocells at the precise instant the moving tag is accurately positioned at the station, selecting means for selecting the particular tag column to be sensed, and a light source. The light source comprises three high intensity lamps 1313 fixed relative to the base 20 and adapted to project light through the openings 98 and 94 in the disk 86 and plate 90 respectively, and through the perforationsin a tag resting on the plate. One of the lamps is also adapted to project light through the timing hole 97 in each feed unit as it passes through the sensing station. The timing photocell 139 is mounted on the connecting plate 42 over a suitable opening so that alignment of the timing hole 97 with the photocell allows light to energize the cell to activate the sensing photocells 133, at the precise instant that the tag to be sensed is accurately positioned in the sensing station. For sensing the light projected through the indicative perforations of the tag there is a row of twenty individual self-energizing photocells "133 adapted to sense the twenty possible index index positions in any aligned columns of the fields 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 of the tag.

The cells are mounted on a sensing frame 134 in two holders 136 and 138. The holder 136 has eight cells for sensing each position of the upper fields 2 and 4 of the tag while the holder 138 has twelve cells for sensing the lower fields 6, 8 and 10.

So that the tag to be sensed is sorted according to'the digit encoded in a single selected column of the tag, the row of photocells 133 is adjustable relative to the reference point provided by the timing cell 139. To this end the sensing frame 134 is provided with two parallel rails 140 adapted to slide on the plate 42 guided by two ways 141 on the plate. For precisely adjusting the frame the rails 141! are provided with spaced holes 143 adapted to receive the teeth of two pin wheels 144 fixed to a shaft 145. The shaft is journaled at opposite ends in depending arms of a bracket 146 fixed to the stationary frame 22. The outer end of the shaft is provided with a hand wheel 147 for manually rotating the shaft to adjust the position of the sensing frame. The hand wheel is also provided with twelve indentations adapted to cooperate with a springpressed detent 148 to position the frame accurately over the selected column, the hand wheel also being provided with suitable indicia numbered from 1'-12 for indicating the position of the sensing frame. In this manner the photocells 133 are adjusted relative to the timing cell 139 to register with the four possible punching positions of one of the columns in each of the tag fields 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 which columns are in alignment. However, only one column is to be sensed so that only four of the sensing cells are rendered active to read the four positions in the selected column. Referring to the electrical circuit diagram in FIG. 28 it may be seen that the sensing cells 1133 are arranged in five groups 150, 15-1, 152, 153, 154 each adapted to sense a single column of four possible index point positions of the fields 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, respectively. At one side, the four cells of each group are wired in common to an individual pole of a rotary manually operated field selector switch 156. The switch arm '157 of the switch is connected through the timing cell 139 to a potentiometer P. The other side of each photocell 1 33 is individually connected in common with corresponding cells of each group to the control grid 159 of individual thyratrons 16% for amplification of the signals generated by the cells. The plate 161 of each thyratron is individually connected to one side of individual solenoids 162. To those skilled in the art it may be seen that at the instant that light strikes the timing photocell 139, one group of sensing cells 133 is rendered potentially active through one pole of the field selector switch 156. At the same instant light striking any of the sensing cells in the group through a code hole in the tag energizes the cell and acting through an associated thyratron causes energization of a related solenoid 162 adjacent the sensing station. By properly adjusting the handwheel 147 and the selector switch iarrn 157 any particular column of any field may be sensed.

Each of the transport units 88 (FIG.14) has associated therewith an individual pocket selecting unit 181) carried by the frame 80 and adapted to operate the pocket shutters 44 through shutter actuating devices 182 (FIG. 23) depending from each of the shutter pivot rods 45. Each of the devices 182 is particularly designed to be operated in response to a particular digit as represented by a particular setting of a selecting unit and in this respect each device is somewhat diiferent. However, each one of the units 1% is identical so that a description for one applies to all.

Each unit 181) includes a lower guide plate 184 (FIGS. 24-27) spaced from but secured to the transport frame 813. An upper guide plate 185 is separated from the lower plate by collars 186, the two plates being held together by bolts 187 to form a guide frame for four finger plates 1H9 and their associated locking plates 190. The upper plate is provided with slots 188 which guide the upper ends of the finger plates 189 and the locking plates 19%). The lower plate 184 is provided with holes 192 which guide legs 1% of the plates 189, 190 which are thus free to move in heightwise directions with respect to the frame, the plates however being urged upwardly by springs 194. Each finger plate 189 is normally locked in its lower non-tripping position by a pawl 196 pivotally mounted in a block 198 secured to the bottom plate 134 between the finger plate and its associated locking plate 191). The pawl has a lower arm 2181) which is received in a'slot 201 in the plate 196 and an upper arm 202 which is receivable in a slot 203 in the plate 189. Referring to FIG. 24, it may be seen that the two pawls in the left end of the unit are locking their respective finger plates 189 in their down or non-tripping positions while the two pawls to the right have released their respective tripping plates which are held in their upper or tripping positions by the springs 194. F t should be obvious that depression of a locking plate 199 against the action of the springs 194 rocks its related pawl 196 counterclockwise to withdraw the arm 202 from the slot 203 in the associated finger plate 289, which then is released to be moved upwardly by its springs 194. Conversely depression of the 7 finger plate 189 from its upper position moves the slot 203 into alignment with the arm 202 of the pawl so that the arm enters the slot to lock the plate 189' in its lower position. This allows the related locking plate to rise to its upper position.

As the transport unit 88 and its associated selecting unit 180 approach the feed magazine 26 during rotation of the frame 89, the plates 189 of the associated selecting unit 180 are depressed in a manner to be described and are locked by their respective pawls in their lowered or nontripping positions so that the locking plates are in upper positions. When the unit 88 arrives at the sensing station 28 and the timing hole 97 is aligned with the timing photocell 139, the tripping unit 186 is positioned directly under abrack'et 206 (FIG. 19) carrying the solenoids 162. At this time the armatures 208 of the solenoids are directly over the locking plates 190 of the tripping unit. At this precise instant a particular column of the tag is sensed as previously described energizing certain photocells \133 according to the code perforations sensed thereby also energizing certain solenoids associated there with. Energization of a solenoid causes its armature to be driven down thereby depressing a locking plate 190 thereunder releasing its associated finger plate 189 which is driven to its trip position by the springs C194. Thus, the sensing of a particular column of the tag causes only certain finger plates representing the digit sensed to be moved to their upper or tripping position.

Referring to FIG. 1, each of the pockets 24 is particularly adapted to receive only tags having the same digit in the selected column. The first pocket in a clockwise direction after the sensing unit 28 is adapted to receive only tags having a zero in the selected column and the next pocket is adapted to receive tags having a 9. The following pockets are adapted successively to receive only eights, sevens, sixes, fives, etc., with the next to the last pocket receiving only ones. The last pocket 209 is a reject pocket and is permanently set to receive all tags that have not been deposited in a preceding pocket. As previously described, the digit zero is recorded in a tag column as holes only in the third and fourth index positions.

Accordingly, when a zero is sensed, only the third and fourth finger plates 189 (i.e. those nearest the shaft 21) are released and rise to tripping position, as'seen in FIG. 19. Accordingly, the tripping device 182 for the zero pocket is particularly designed to be responsive only to that combination of tripping plates and to no other. To this end the zero tripping device includes a depending arrn 210 (FIGS. 2 and 3) fixed to the rod 45 and having a cross arm 2 12 pivoted midway of its ends on a screw 214 in the lower end of the The cross arm has depending tabs 213 at each end extending down in the path of movement of the third and fourth finger plates 189 of each selecting unit 180. Thus, when these two finger plates 189 strike the tabs 213 simultaneously, the arm 210 is rocked clockwise as seen in FIG. 2, to rock the shutter 44 until the fingers 51 project into the grooves 87 in the transport disk 86. Thus, when the tag having a zero sensed approaches the zero pocket the fingers 51 of the shutter deflect the tag from its transport unit and direct it into the bottom of the pocket to rest on the partial floor 33 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 18.

Any other combination of tripping plates representing digits other than zero will either miss the tabs 213 or will strike only one of the tabs. Striking only one of the tabs causes the arm 212 to pivot about its vertical axis without rocking the arm 210. The tripping units 182 for other pockets responsive to other combination digits, such as nine, eight, six, five and three are similarly constructed except that the tabs 213 are arranged to be struck by other combinations of finger plates. Since the seven, four, two and one digits are represented by only one hole in the tag or by only one finger plate, the tripping devices for the pockets corresponding to these digits have only a single arm 210 without a cross arm 212. The arrangement of pockets in their order of succession is such that the pockets responsive to a combination digit are passed before a single digit pocket so that while the single digit arm 212 may be actuated by one of a combination of tripping plates in a tripping unit, depression of the shutter at that time is harmless if the tag has a combination digit because the tag has been deposited in a preceding pocket.

After passing the last or reject pocket during rotation of the frame each selecting unit is reset so that all finger plates are depressed and locked. ,To this end a reset frame 126 (FIGS. 8 and 9) depends from the frame 22 in a position adjacent the reject pocket 209. The frame 216 is provided with four inclined cam surfaces 218 positioned in the path of movement of the finger plates 7 18-9. Thus as each of the units travels past the frame 216 all of its finger plates 189 are depressed by thecam surfaces 218 and locked by their respective pawls 196.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device for feeding and registering records having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a magazine for holding and guiding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine, a transport plate spaced from said open end the thickness of a record and on which rests a record exposed at said open end, a lip extending'from said plate toward the magazine and engageable with one edge of the record resting on the'plate,

means moving the plate across the open end of the magazine for engaging said lip with the record thereby separating and feeding the record from the magazine, locating pins moving with the plate and normally underlying the surface of the plate while passing the magazine, and means effective when the plate has moved past the magazine for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of the record thereon whereby a record fed from the magazine by said lip engaging an edge thereof is thereafter registered on said plate by said pins without means moving the plate across the open end of the magazine for engaging said lip with the record thereby separating and feeding the record from the magazine, locating pins moving with the plate, spring means normally maintaining the pins under the surface of the plate while passing the magazine, and a stationary cam engaging one end of said pins after passing the magazine for projecting the pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of the record thereon whereby a record fed from the magazine by said lip engaging an edge thereof is thereafter registered on said plate by said pins without reference to the edge of the record.

3. A device for registering with a moving reference a field of data indications including a magazine for hold- .ing and guiding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine, a transport plate spaced from said open end the thickness of a record and on which rests a record at said open end, a reference point on said plate, a lip extending from said plate toward the magazine and engageable with one edge of the record resting on the plate, means moving the plate across the open end of the magazine for engaging said lip with the record for feeding the record from the magazine, locating pins moving with the plate and accurately positioned with respect to said reference point, the ends of said pins normally underlying the surface of the plate while moving by the magazine, and means effective when the plate has moved past 9 the magazine for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of the record whereby the data indicative field on said record is registered with respect to the reference point.

4. A device for controlling the sensing of moving records having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a magazine for holding and guilding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine, a transport plate spaced from said open end the thickness of a record and on which rests the record at said open end, timing means on said plate, a lip extending from said plate toward the magazine and enga-geable with one edge of the record resting on the plate, means moving the plate across the open end of the magazine for engaging said lip with the record for feeding the record from the magazine, locating pins moving with the plate and accurately positioned with respect to said timing means, the ends of said pins normally underlying the surface of the plate while moving by the magazine, means effective when the plate has moved past the magazine for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of the record whereby the data indicative field on said record is registered with respect to said timing means, stationary sensing means past which the transport plate feeds said record for sensing the data indications on said record, stationary control means past which said transport plate moves said timing means and operable upon registration with said timing means to initiate operation of said sensing means.

5. A device for controlling the sensing of moving records having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a magazine for guiding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine, a transport plate spaced from said open end the thickness of a record and on which rests the record at said open end, timing means on said plate, a lip extending fromsaid plate toward the magazine and engageable with one edge of the record resting on the plate, means moving the plate across the open end of the magazine for engaging said lip with the record for feeding the record from the magazine, locating pins moving with the plate and accurately positioned with respect to said timing means, spring means normally maintaining the pins under the surface of the plate While passing the magazine, stationary sensing means past which the transport plate feeds said record for sensing the data indications on said record, a stationary cam engaging one end of the said pins after passing the magazine for projecting the pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of the record and for maintaining said pins in projected position while passing said sensing means and stationary control means past which said trans port plate moves said timing means and operable upon registration with said timing means to initiate operation of said sensing means.

6. A device for registering with moving reference points a succession of records each having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a plurality of transport units moving successively along a common path, said units being connected to form a substantially unbroken surface lying in said path, each unit including a reference point, a lip extending beyond said surface and locating pins accurately positioned relative to said reference point and normally underlying said surface, a stationary magazine for guiding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine adjacent the path of movement of said lip, said open end being spaced from said surface for passage of a single record whereby successive records are supported by said surface and fed edgewise from the magazine by the lip at each unit, and means for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of a record thereon after the record is fed from the magazine for accurately registering the data indicative field of each record with the reference point.

7. A device for registering with moving reference points a succession of records each having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a plurality of transport units mounted on a common rotating frame for movement in a common closed circular path, said units and frame presenting a substantially unbroken surface lying in said path, each unit including a reference point, a lip extending beyond said surface and locating pins accurately positioned relative to said reference point and normally underlying said surface, a stationary magazine for guiding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine adjacent the path of movement of said lip, said open end being spaced from said surface for passage of a single record whereby successive records are supported by said surface and fed edgewise from the magazine by the lip at each unit, and means for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of a record thereon after the record is fed from the magazine for accurately registering the data indicative field of each record with the reference point.

8. A device for registering with moving reference points a succession of records each having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a plurality of transport units mounted for movement along a common, closed path, said units being connected to form a substantially unbroken surface lying in said path, each unit including a reference point, a timing means located at said point, a lip extending beyond said surface and locating pins accurately positioned relative to said reference point and normally underlying said surface, a stationary magazine for guiding a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine adjacent the path of movement of said lip, said open end being spaced from said surface for passage of a single record whereby successive records are supported by said surface and fed edgewise from the magazine by the lip at each unit, means for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of a record thereon after-the record is fed from the magazine for accurately registering the data indicative field of each record with the reference point, a sensing station spaced from said magazine and adjacent the path of movement of the records registered by said pins, means at said station for sensing the data indications on individual records, and means responsive to the arrival of the timing means of each transport unit at a given point at said station for causing said sensing means to sense the data indications on a registered record.

9. A device for registering with moving reference points a succession of records each having locating holes related to a field of data indications including a plurality of transport units mounted on a common rotating frame for movement in a common, closed'circular path, said units and frame presenting a substantially unbroken surface lying in said path, each unit including a reference point, a timing means located at said point, a lip extendmg beyond said surface and locating pins accurately positioned relative to said reference point and normally underlying said surface, a stationary magazine for guidmg a stack of records toward an open end of the magazine adjacent the path of movement of said lip, said open end being spaced from said surface for passage of a single record whereby successive records are supported by said surface and fed edgewise of the magazine by the lip at each unit, means for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of a record thereon after the record is fed from the magazine for accurately registering the data indicative field of each record with the reference point, a sensing station spaced from said magazine and adjacent the path of movement'of the records registered by said pins, means at said station for sensing the data indications on individual records, and means responsive to the arrival of the timing means of each transport unit at a given point at said station for causing said sensing means to sense the data indications on a registered record.

10. A device for sensing data indications on moving records having locating holes related to a field of such 1 i indications including a moving transport unit, pins projecting from said unit for positioning a record by its locating holes, said unit having a reference hole accurately positioned with respect to said pins so that said field of indications is accurately related to said hole, a fixed station through which the transport unit moves the record, said station including a source of light at one side of the path of movement of said transport unit, means at the opposite side of said transport unit for sensing the data indicative field of the record, and a light responsive control device also at the opposite side of said unit and adjacent the path of movement of said reference hole for causing said sensing means to sense the data indicative field when light from said light source passes through said reference hole and strikes the control device, and means for varying the positional relationship between the control means and the sensing means for causing the sensing means to sense any selected portion of said field.

11. A device for sensing data indications on moving records having locating holes related to a field of such indications including a moving transport unit, pins projecting from said unit for positioning a record by its locating holes, a reference point accurately positioned on said unit with respect to said pins so that said field of indications is accurately related to the reference point, a timing means located at said point, a fixed station past which the transport unit moves the record, said station including a device responsive to registration of said timing means therewith, means positionally related to the responsive means for sensing the data indicative field of the record when the timing means is registered with the responsive means, and means for varying the positional relationship between the responsive means and the sensing means for causing the sensing means to sense any selected portion of said field.

12. In a machine for sorting records having locating holes related to a field of data indications, means for feeding a succession of records along a predetermined path through a sensing station, said feeding means including a plurality of transport units having support surfaces moving successively along a common path, each unit including a reference point, a timing means located at said point, a lip extending beyond said surface and locating pins accurately positioned relatively to said reference point and normally underlying said surface, a stationary magazine for guiding a stack of records toward \an open end of the magazine adjacent the path of movement of said lip, said open end being spaced from said surface for the passage of a single record whereby successive records are supported by said surface and fed from the magazine by the lip at each unit, and means effective after a record is moved from the magazine for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of a record thereon for accurately registering the data indicative field of each record with the reference point, means at the sensing station for sensing the data indications on individual records, means responsive to the arrival of the timing means of each transport unit at a given point at said station for causing said sensing means to sense the data indications on a registered record, a plurality of selecting units each mounted for movement with an individual transport unit,

said selecting units each including a plurality of settable devices, and means controlled by the sensing means for setting said devices to represent the data indications sensed from the record on the associated transport unit whereby the data on each record registered on a transport unit is represented by the setting in an associated selecting unit moving therewith,

=13. In a machine for sorting records having locating holes related to a field of data indications, means for feeding a succession of records along a predetermined path through a sensing station, said feeding means ineluding a plurality of transport units having support surfaces moving successively along a common path, each an open end of the magazine adjacent the path of movement of said lip, said open end being spaced from said surface for the passage of a single record whereby successive records are supported by said surface and fed from the magazine by the lip at each unit, and means for projecting said pins beyond said surface and into the locating holes of a record thereon for accurately registering the data indicative field of each record with the reference point, means at the sensing station for sensing the data indications on individual records, means responsive to the arrival of the timing means of each transport unit at a given point at said station for causing said sensing means to sense the data indications on a registered record, a plurality of selecting units each mounted for movement with an individual transport unit, said selecting units each including a plurality of settable devices, and means controlled by the sensing means for setting said devices to represent the data indications sensed from the record on the associated transport unit whereby the data on each record registered on a transport unit is represented by the setting in an associated selecting unit moving therewith, a plurality of sorting pockets arranged in the path of movement of the transport units, said pockets each having a shutter normally closing said pocket and individual means for each shutter actuated by the selecting units as they approach each pocket for moving its shutter into the path of movement of the records on the transport units for directing a record into a selected pocket in response to a particular setting of its related selecting unit. 14. In a machine for sorting perforated records each having data encoded by one or more perforations in a column thereon, means for feeding a succession of records along a predetermined path through a sensing station having means for sensing the perforations in said column of each record, said feeding means including a plurality of transport units each adapted to feed a single record, a plurality of selecting units each mounted for movement with an individual associated transport unit, said selecting units each having a plurality of settable devices corresponding respectively to the perforations which may occur in the column of a record,-and means controlled by the sensing means for set-ting the devices corresponding to the perforations sensed from the column of the record on the associated transport unit whereby the perforations on the column of the record on each transport unit is represented by the setting of the corresponding devices in the associated selecting unit moving therewith.

15. In a machine for sorting perforated records each having data encoded by one or more perforations in a column thereon, means for feeding a succession of records along a predetermined path through a sensing station having means for sensing the perforations in said column of each record, said feeding means including a plurality of transport units each adapted to feed a single record, a

plurality of selecting units each mounted for movement with an individual associated transport unit, said selecting units each having a plurality of settable devices corresponding respectively to the perforations which may occur in the column of a record, means controlled by the sensing- 13 units as they approach each pocxet for moving its shutter into the path of movement of the records on the transport units for directing a record into a selected pocket in response to a particular setting of its related selecting unit.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 817,927 Meaker Apr. 17, 1906 14 Ladd Nov. 8, 1921 Rinsche May 29', 1923 Randell Apr. 26, 1927 Curran Ma r. 1, 1955 Tyler et :al June 11, 1957 Maul Aug. 20, 1957 B assler Mar. 15, 1960 

1. A DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND REGISTERING RECORDS HAVING LOCATING HOLES RELATED TO A FIELD OF DATA INDICATIONS INCLUDING A MAGAZINE FOR HOLDING AND GUIDING A STACK OF RECORDS TOWARD AN OPEN END OF THE MAGAZINE, A TRANSPORT PLATE SPACED FROM SAID OPEN END THE THICKNESS OF A RECORD AND ON WHICH RESTS A RECORD EXPOSED AT SAID OPEN END, A LIP EXTENDING FROM SAID PLATE TOWARD THE MAGAZINE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE EDGE OF THE RECORD RESTING ON THE PLATE, MEANS MOVING THE PLATE ACROSS THE OPEN END OF THE MAGAZINE FOR ENGAGING SAID LIP WITH THE RECORD THEREBY SEPARATING AND FEEDING THE RECORD FROM THE MAGAZINE, LOCATING PINS MOVING WITH THE PLATE AND NORMALLY UNDERLYING THE SURFACE OF THE PLATE WHILE PASSING THE MAGAZINE, AND MEANS EFFECTIVE WHEN THE PLATE HAS MOVED PAST THE MAGAZINE FOR PROJECTING SAID PINS BEYOND SAID SURFACE AND INTO THE LOCATING HOLES OF THE RECORD THEREON WHEREBY A RECORD FED FROM THE MAGAZINE BY SAID LIP ENGAGING AN EDGE THEROF IS THEREAFTER REGISTERED ON SAID PLATE BY SAID PINS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE EDGE OF THE RECORD. 